Barcelona may not be bringing all their stars to the Dublin, but Lionel Messi will be making the trip for the Celtic game.
The Catalans are scheduled to take on Celtic FC for an International Champions Cup clash with in Aviva Stadium on Saturday, July 30, and Messi is set to lead them.
Barcelona have named a depleted squad for the preseason friendly to ensure many of their big names will be well rested in time for the new campaign following a big summer of international fixtures including action from Euro 2016 and the Copa America.
The likes of Andreas Iniesta, Neymar and Gerard Pique won’t be travelling to the Irish capital, but the club have confirmed that Messi along with lethal attacking partner Luis Suarez will feature in the matchday squad.
Despite Bendan Rodgers suggesting that new boy Kolo Toure would get some game time against the La Liga giants after their penalty shootout loss to Leicester last week, the Ivory Coast star has not been named in Celtic’s squad. This means we could have an added bonus of seeing Messi whizz around the Aviva without having to deal with that pesky chant marring the occasion.
Celtic FC Squad
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon, Logan Bailly, Leo Fasan
Defenders: Emilio Izaguirre, Efe Ambrose, Jozo Simunovic, Dedryck Boyata, Saidy Janko, Eoghan O’Connell, Erik Sviatchenko, Mikael Lustig, Kieran Tierney
Midfielders: Nir Bitton, Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong, Kris Commons, Gary Mackay-Steven, Ryan Christie, Tom Logic, Scott Allan, Kristoffer Ajer, Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Liam Henderson, Stefan Johansen
Forwards: Leigh Griffiths, Nadir Ciftci, Patrick Roberts, Moussa Dembele
FC Barcelona Squad
Goalkeepers: Jordi Masip, Jose Suarez, Josep Martinez
Defenders: Sergi Roberto, Adriano, Aleix Vidal, Jeremy Mathieu, Martin Montoya, Borja Lopez, Marlon, Nili, Jose Antonio Martinez
Midfielders: Arda Turna, Denis Suarez, Sergi Samper, Gerard Gumbau, Alex Carbonell, Carles Alena, Jesus Alfaro, Juan Camara
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Cristian Tello, Rafa Mujica, Munir
*Both squads are subject to change due to injuries
